The Call with Jennifer Graeser Dornbush

I knew from the time I was eight years old that I would be a writer. I was always writing little stories and making little books. I was that kid always making up plays and getting her sisters and friends to play the parts. As I grew up, that love for writing morphed into careers in journalism where I was telling human interest stories, and then, public relations and development where I was telling the stories of non-profits and organizations. Eventually, I leaned into my desire to get back to writing fiction and I dove headfirst into screenwriting. I found my forensic, crime writing voice and started to write a bunch of film and TV scripts. As these began to pile up, I got the spark of an idea to turn them into novels. It wasn't soon after that I found myself teaching a day-long forensic bootcamp for writers at the ACFW conference in 2014. That's where I met Julie Gwinn. It was the final hours of the conference and I was standing in line at the Starbucks when someone introduce her to me because they knew I was looking for a literary agent. We probably said five sentences to each other, but that was the start of my journey with Julie and Seymour! I had never written a novel before, so Julie TOTALLY took a chance on me. I spent the next year writing my first novel under Julie's gentle guidance. Then Julie spent the next year plus trying to sell it. In the meantime I had written a movie, God Bless the Broken Road, and we decided to novelize it. That was actually my first book contract! I remember I wrote the first three chapters while we were filming. Two weeks after I turned in those pages, we received several offers. We chose one and that was my first fiction contract with a publisher! It wasn't long after we sold my first novel to another publisher. 

Jennifer's Newest Release, Hole in the Woods

About the Author, Jennifer Graeser Dornbush:

Jennifer Graeser Dornbush is a screenwriter, author, international speaker and forensic specialist. As she says, “I grew up around death.” 

The television or movie screen is the closest most people will ever come to witnessing the forensic world. But Jennifer was raised in it, as the daughter of a small town medical examiner whose office was in their home. There were body parts in the fridge. She investigated her first fatality, an airplane crash, when she was 8 years old, picking up pieces of skull with her father who simply saw it as an anatomy lesson. It was the first of many coroner lessons she experienced over two decades. 

After exploring journalism and high school teaching, Jennifer turned seriously to screenwriting where she began to connect her coroner world to her writing. She sought out a degree at the Forensic Science Academy in Los Angeles to gain more forensic training and earned a unique kinship with LA’s top CSIs, fingerprint specialists, DNA scientists and detectives. To share her love of forensics with the writing world, she authored the top-selling non-fiction authoritative book, Forensic Speak, used not only by show-runners and writers, but also crime investigators and law enforcement. As a forensic consultant, she is frequently asked to consult with TV writers on shows such as Bull, Conviction, Hawaii Five-O, Leverage, Suits and Rectify. 

She created an Amazon top-selling mystery novel series, The Coroner’s Daughter. The first book in the series, The Coroner, released August 2018. The second in the series, Secret Remains, released January 2020. She is developing the series for TV. She wrote the theatrically released film and novel, God Bless the Broken Road (2018). She has developed a TV crime drama series with Echo Lake and Hoplite Entertainment. She also adapted a popular YA novel to script and sold a children’s show. 

She teaches screenwriting and mentors aspiring writers. Jennifer is a member of the Writers’ Guild of America, Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America and FBI Citizen’s Academy Alumni. And she has a great sense of gallows humor. 

Website:  www.jenniferdornbush.com

Facebook: Jennifer Graeser Dornbush

Twitter: @JGDornbush

Instagram: @JGDornbush

LinkedIn: Jennifer Dornbush 

The Seymour Agency Q&A with Author Jen J. Danna

Seymour Agency: You recently launched your new series, the NYPD Negotiators, with EXIT STRATEGY. Why hostage negotiation?

Jen J. Danna: In LONE WOLF, the first book in the FBI K-9s series, I wrote a character who was a hostage negotiator. This guy had a really tough job as the middle man between the FBI, who wanted to close the case, and an armed gunman, who was holed up with his family. The negotiator was not only trying to save lives, but was also fighting to satisfy his law enforcement brethren, many of whom saw force as the best way to quickly get their man. This character really stuck with me, partly because the situation he had to deal with was different than anything I’d written before.

SA: How was it different?

JJD: In all my other police procedurals, the protagonist is always reacting to the initial situation, usually a murder, sometimes a natural disaster. I wanted to explore police work from the opposite, proactive angle. Yes, there’s a crisis in play, but the challenge is to save lives before they’re lost, to get the hostages out in one piece, and hopefully contain and arrest the person responsible.

SA: How did you develop Gemma Capello and her first responder family?

JJD: This was the first book I wrote solo, so it was fun to take advantage of my own family history to flesh out Gemma. Like me, her family hails from Siculiana in Sicily. Like me she lost a parent at a young age (though her loss is by very violent means). But I like writing ensemble pieces, where the characters appear throughout the series, so I crafted a family around her, a father and four brothers, who with only one exception are all NYPD officers in various branches of the department (the other brother joined the FDNY). In this way, she can work with at least one of them during her cases.

SA: How does her family play a part in EXIT STRATEGY?

JJD: When an alert goes out, interrupting a family celebration, Gemma, her father, the Chief of Special Operations, and her two older brothers respond. But when the hostage situation takes a turn for the worse and Gemma has to put herself at risk with the hostage taker, everything, including her life, will rest in the hands of her younger brother.

SA: What can we expect next from Gemma?

JJD: The second book in the series, SHOT CALLER, will release in summer 2021 from Kensington Books and Dreamscape Media. In it, Gemma is called to New York City’s notorious Rikers Island jail when a riot occurs and both correctional officers and inmates are taken hostage. It’s a contained but extremely volatile situation, and Gemma and her negotiating team are pulled in different directions as everyone tries to steer the crisis—from the inmates, to the staff at Rikers, to the city administrators that run the Department of Corrections, to the NYPD. She also has to balance her need to peacefully resolve the situation, which takes time, with the tactical team’s desire to go in and rapidly resolve the crisis with force. It’s a real nail biter. Then the third book in the series, LOCKDOWN, will follow in the summer of 2022.

About the Book, Exit Strategy:

In this taut new suspense series featuring NYPD detective Gemma Capello and her close-knit law enforcement family, a madman brings a halt to the heart of the city that never sleeps . . .

After her mother’s death during a bank robbery when she was a child, Gemma Capello grew up to become one of the NYPD’s elite hostage negotiators. In a family of cops, there’s rarely a day when a Capello isn’t facing down some form of threat. Still, despite their unpredictable schedules, they always find time for their annual family summer picnic. But this year, a sudden phone call changes everything. 

A heavily armed gunman has taken hostages at City Hall. Gemma races downtown to join the rest of the Hostage Negotiation Team as they scramble to identify the captives—fearing the mayor may be among them. But as they scramble for answers and struggle to gain control of the circumstances, it becomes clear that the mayor is at the center of it all, just not in the way they initially believed. 

With several lives on the line and a criminal who always seems to be one step ahead, Gemma is the only one able to connect with the suspect. Soon, she finds herself engaging in a battle of wits while enduring a battle of egos in the command center. With time running out and a mastermind who has proven he’ll do whatever it takes to get what he wants, Gemma risks it all—her career and her life—in a last-ditch effort to save the hostages. Now, she needs to figure out how to save herself . . .

About the Author, Jen J. Danna:  

A scientist specializing in infectious diseases, Jen J. Danna works as part of a dynamic research group at a cutting-edge Canadian university. However, her true passion lies in indulging her love of the mysterious through her writing. 

With Ann Vanderlaan, she writes two series. Under Danna and Vanderlaan, they craft suspenseful crime fiction with a realistic scientific edge. Their five Abbott and Lowell Forensic Mysteries include DEAD, WITHOUT A STONE TO TELL IT; NO ONE SEES ME ’TILL I FALL; A FLAME IN THE WIND OF DEATH; TWO PARTS BLOODY MURDER; and LAMENT THE COMMON BONES.

Under the joint pseudonym of Sara Driscoll, they write the FBI K-9s mysteries series, starring search-and-rescue team Meg Jennings and her black lab, Hawk. The series includes LONE WOLF and BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE, STORM RISING, and NO MAN’S LAND. The fifth book in the series, LEAVE NO TRACE, will release in January 2020.

Jen is also the author of the upcoming NYPD Negotiators thriller series, with the first book, EXIT STRATEGY, releasing in August 2020. The second book in the series, SHOT CALLER, will release in 2021, and the third book, LOCKDOWN, will release in 2022.

Jen lives near Toronto, Ontario with her husband, two daughters, and three rescued cats, and is a member of the Crime Writers of Canada.

You can reach her through the contact page on her website or by email at jenjdanna@gmail.com.

Social media links: Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Instagram.

The Call with Shachi Kaushik

I first happened to cross paths with Lynnette Novak on Twitter. I sent her my manuscript seeing her pinned tweet. In a couple of days Lynnette got back to me expressing keen interest and requesting to have a phone call.   

Being a first timer, this was an exciting as well a nervous moment for me. I took help from my SCBWI community to understand what to expect from an agent call.

What I thought would be like a job interview turned out to be a candid conversation between me and my agent Lynnette. 
 
She was seeking more clarity on my work, my motivation behind writing picture books, my long-term vision and goal, and gauging if a working relationship could be established. Right from the get-go Lynnette made me feel at ease. She spoke of my manuscript’s potential.
 
As much as Lynnette, I was also trying to figure out if my agent would be a right fit for me. This is a long-term relationship.
 
She answered all my questions and cleared my doubts about the process and the final product. She discussed her approach when it comes to showcasing work to publishers. I can recall Lynnette’s words stating ‘teach my clients how to improve their writing and grow as authors’ was a very important factor for me. Knowing that she herself has been a writer and worked as a freelancer editor, I knew I wanted someone like her. I knew a writer with the editorial eye could help me tweak my work and further enrich my ideas.
 
Lynnette offered representation to me over the phone. Finally, I accepted Lynnette’s offer in writing. I really liked her enthusiasm for my work and felt a great connection and was able to imagine her being part of my picture book writing journey.
 
My agent and I finally made it official on Social Media using Twitter (#TeamNovak) and also on other platforms consecutively. YAY!!!
 
For me it was a stay at home celebration maintaining social distancing. 
 

About Shachi Kaushik:

Hailing from a legal profession back in India, Shachi found her new calling in life when she moved to the US a couple years back to start her married life. Shachi spends significant time volunteering for activities at the Round Rock Public Library as the host for Bilingual Hindi-English Storytime. Shachi’s writing is a whole-hearted attempt to retain the diminishing culture and tradition that could be passed to generations to come. 

 

Shachi also spends time mentoring students which further helps her develop new ideas to serve the Children-Parent community through her book writing. She is a monthly contributor to Austin South Asian for the “Picture Book World” section and her articles have also appeared in Austin Family and BrownGirl Magazine.

 

Twitter: 

@KaushikShachi

 

 

The Call with Felicia Bridges

My call story is a little unique and demonstrates the Lord's perfect timing. I had been to Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference several times over the previous five years. I had pitched my series and received requests from several publishers and editors for the full, but always returned home and convinced myself that it was not quite ready. They were just being kind. 

In 2015, I made a commitment to myself that I would join the scant 30% of writers at a conference who follow through and submit their manuscript as requested. And I added some teeth to the commitment -- I would submit whatever was requested within 30 days of the conference, or I would not attend another writers' conference. As the rarest of creatures, an extroverted writer, swearing off conferences would be a devastating loss of community. Having made many connections with other authors, my conference buddy and I were delighted to discover that one of our friends was having her first book signing in Asheville the day before the conference. We decided it was worth an extra night's stay to be able to celebrate her debut and be rested and ready to go when the conference began the following day. What an exciting moment to see a friend sitting in the midst of the Barnes and Noble, stacks of freshly printed books beside her on the table awaiting her autograph! As we chatted with the author, her publisher introduced herself and my friend mentioned that we were in town for the writers' conference. Her publisher asked us about what we wrote and, after I stumbled through my pitch -- thinking I'd have the rest of the day to practice before the conference began -- she scribbled her email on a scrap of paper and asked me to send her my manuscript. 

Over the course of the next several days, I pitched to several publishers and received other requests for the manuscript, and also pitched to Julie Gwinn. Julie happened to represent the same author friend we had come up early to celebrate! When the conference ended, I pushed through additional edits based on once again learning so much from the conference faculty, and hit send on the emails to those who'd requested my manuscript for CzechMate. There is really nothing quite like that moment. The thrill! The relief! The absolute terror! Within thirty days, I received an email back from Dawn Carrington, Editor-in-Chief with Vinspire Publishing, letting me know that they might be interested in publishing my novel. I immediately reached out to Julie, eager to have a savvy agent in my corner for this next step in the publishing process. She has proven to be a tremendous asset, helping me land a two-book deal and then to augment that with a contract for four more books in the International Mission Force series. 

I love sharing this story because I couldn't have orchestrated this path if I had tried. It demonstrates the importance of supporting fellow authors and building relationships that encourage, support, and promote one another, and trusting God to put us in the right place at the right time.

Czech Mate

Bolivia Knight

Kenya Quest

About Felicia Bridges: 

 

Felicia Bridges writes adventures that inspire action. Her own escapades as an Army BRAT included living in eight states and two foreign countries by the time she was fifteen. Along with a strong foundation of faith, this nomadic childhood created a passion for missions and travel which leads her writing to exotic places. Her YA series debut, The International Mission Force, features the adventures of teenage missionaries around the globe and currently includes CzechMate, which is set in Prague, Czech Republic; BoliviaKnight, set in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia; and KenyaQuest, set in Mombasa, Kenya. Volume IV, IslandGambit, which is set on the beautiful island of Papua New Guinea, is due to release in  2020. She loves sharing the excitement and adventure of living on mission and is happy to speak to your student group or women's retreat about missions, discipleship, and the gospel. While her degree in Psychology helps her craft realistic characters, her adventures as an HR Manager, short term missionary, mother of four, and Pastor's wife provide her most entertaining tales. Names may be changed to protect the not-so-innocent. 

You can find Felicia at:

Gmail: feliciabowenbridges@gmail.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FeliciaBBridges
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FeliciaBowenBridges/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/FeliciaBBridges/
YouTube: https://www.instagram.com/FeliciaBridges_Author/

 

Receiving the “Email” From The Seymour Agency

Once I noticed an agent’s message in my email, I pre-judged it. My first reaction assumed the worst. Ok, who can I query next? To my surprise, Marisa’s response was better than I anticipated. Not only did she ask if my manuscript was still available—it brought a smile to her face, she wanted to know more, and wished her mother could have read it to her when she was a child. Not many more details needed, she had me at “it brought a smile to my face!”

After celebrating the news with my family, I informed Marisa that my manuscript was definitely still available. Subsequent emails with Marisa demonstrated that her personality matched mine. Her outlook on the world mirrored mine and we had even tackled similar topics in our earlier writings. One of the sayings that rings true with me is to think outside the box. Marisa counters with the idea of ‘no box.” Forget about the box. Initially, without context, I didn’t understand what that meant. Now I support her version of that idea, and I am onboard—literally and figuratively. I appreciate how Marisa and Nicole are receptive to the variety of “no box” ideas and suggestions I offer regarding my manuscripts. 

A friendly Zoom meeting with Marisa and Nicole finally sealed the deal. The more I interact with Marisa, Nicole, and various other agency members, like Joyce and Julie, the more I am convinced that The Seymour Agency is the right agency for my manuscripts. The personnel and clients are a kind, congenial group who work as a team for the best outcomes. 

I am honored to be represented by The Seymour Agency, and if you become a Seymour client— 

celebrate! You’ll be in great hands!

About Bethanie Baker Henderson

  

Bethanie writes cozy fictional and biographical picture books. She is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and works with youth in her church and school district. She holds a B.A. in Psychology and a concentration in English from Columbia University and an M.B.A. from the University of Michigan. She enjoys learning about new underwater discoveries, especially the mysteries in the deep sea. Bethanie lives with her husband, two remarkable daughters and their cat in eastern PA. 

Connect with her on her website at www.WhenReadingMatters.com, on Twitter @bbakerhenderson and on Facebook at Bethanie Baker Henderson Author.                             

The Call with Jill Watson

I met Joyce Sweeney at Florida SCBWI meetings and through a writing course of hers I'd taken. In 2019, she edited THE MAGNIFICENT ROLLING ROXIE before I sent it out to agents. Afterwards, she always checked in to offer encouragement and ask how my submissions were going. She really loved my book, and was rooting for me! Joyce was the first one I hugged after I won my SCBWI Rising Kite Award in January 2020, and I ran across the ballroom to do it. I felt like she was in it with me 100%, and I wanted to share that moment with her. 

At 7:15 one morning, Joyce sent me a text. "Could you please send me the full again, along with your query?" The address she gave was at The Seymour Agency. She was their newest agent!

Needless to say, I woke up fast. I laughed, I cried, I danced around on my roller skates. There is no better agent I could have in my corner than Joyce Sweeney!

BIO:

Jill Watson started her career as Associate Editor of True Confessions magazine. (Don't ask if the stories were real, she'll never tell.) After three years, plot twist! Jill moved over to the production end of publishing, where she managed Graphic Design departments at CBS, USA TODAY and a mutual funds company. She was also Type Consultant on fanzines for Amblin' Entertainment. Fun!

Every chance she got, Jill danced on her roller skates and in her cowboy boots. She appeared on several TV shows, as well as in a Top 10 Country Music video. All this, without the ability to hear the music well.

In 2017, Jill gave up the 9-to-whenever-o’clock life to concentrate on writing. Her first middle grade book, THE MAGNIFICENT ROLLING ROXIE, won a Rising Kite Award from SCBWI in 2020.

When she's not writing, Jill still dances on her skates. She also raises butterflies in her Florida garden and feeds two bunnies who visit every day. Jill is a member of SCBWI and the Central Park Dance Skaters Association. She’s represented by Joyce Sweeney. 

CONNECT WITH JILL:

jillwatsonwrites.com

https://twitter.com/jill_watson326

https://www.facebook.com/jill.watson.3557/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jill-watson-3013736/

The Call with Stephanie Spence

From the moment I signed the contract with Tina Wainscott and The Seymour Agency, I felt like I had been welcomed into a family that cared deeply for their writers and people who love books. While waiting to hear if someone would be interested in my book, I created a daily ritual that I practiced every day. I would wake and take a moment to give gratitude for having the passion, dedication, and courage to share my story. Gratitude for having the courage to follow my dreams. I'd follow that with a hope that if my words found someone I could help, that would be all the success I needed. I then saw Tina (in my mind) pitching my proposal to people and them smiling. I saw her jumping up and down calling me to say she had found the perfect publisher and publishing deal just for me. Here's the critical part: I would see me already having this. It wasn't a future event. It was "now." I'd FEEL how great it would be getting the call, like it was happening in real time. I did this every day for a year (which wasn't always easy, but I was committed to staying calm, upbeat, and optimistic while waiting) until finally, on a sunny morning, she called to tell me the great news. The only change in my vision: I was the one jumping up and down. 

[Tina note: I too was jumping up and down! It’s just as exciting for me to get an offer…well, almost as exciting as it is for the author!]

About Stephanie:

With an eye towards the future, but steeped in wisdom from 40 years of practicing yoga Stephanie Spence is a Yoga Educator, Author, Inspirational Speaker, Activist, and Creative Leader. Based in Coronado, California Stephanie is a trail blazer with an inspiring and empowering approach to self-inquiry and personal development. Stephanie is committed to helping ignite the desire for others to create a life of health and joy for themselves. Connect with her via her award-winning website, StephanieSpence.com or @Stephanieyogini. Her book “Yoga Wisdom: Warrior Tales Inspiring You On And Off Your Mat”, Nautilus Book Awards Winner, is available wherever fine books are sold.

Website: StephanieSpence.com 

Interview with Jessica Lemmon

Hello Readers! 

Welcome to 5-stars Friday! 

Today we have an interview with 5-stars author Jessica Lemmon, another giveaway, and the announcement of the winner from the last 5-stars Friday. Jessica writes super amazing contemporary romance novels, and you can follow her on Instagram by clicking here.

***Risa's Interview with Jessica***

Risa: What advice would you give yourself if you could go back in time before you were published?

Jessica: Calm down! You can’t run before you can walk. Savor every moment of the journey. They’ll be good times and not-so-good times, but you’re going to be better than okay.

Risa: That's really great advice! You've hit so many career milestones and reached destinations emerging authors are still striving for. I saw on your website that you have around 30 books (including the coming soon ones). How long does it take you to write a book?

Jessica: About 4 weeks.

Risa: Do you prefer ebooks, paperbacks, or hardcover?

Jessica: I find myself reading more and more paperbacks lately! I like to take a break from the screen.

Risa: Speaking of taking a break from the screen... what do you do when you're not writing?

Jessica: I’ve recently started a health and wellness blog called Lemmony.com. I hand-draw all of the illustrations on the website.

Risa: That's an awesome website! Okay, last question. What's one thing you can't live without?

Jessica: I’m incredibly adaptable and can live without almost anything, but if there’s one thing I prefer to always have in my arsenal, it’s coffee. 

Super thanks to Jessica for taking the time to answer some questions!

***GIVEAWAY ALERT***

One random and lucky commenter will receive a copy of Best Friends, Secret Lovers (Book 1, The Bachelor Pact). Not sure what to say in the comments? If you've read books by Jessica Lemmon, what title was your favorite so far? Or let us know if the last books you've read have been ebooks, paperbacks, or hardcovers. If you have a favorite local bookstore, what's the name of the bookstore?

***WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT***

Congratulations to Taylor R. Williams! You won a copy of Crime and Poetry by Amanda Flower, coloring bookmarks, and a sticker signed by Amanda Flower. By Monday, October 28, 2019, please confirm if you'd like a Kindle copy or mass market paperback of Crime and Poetry by Amanda Flower, as well as the U.S. mailing address for the coloring bookmarks and signed sticker. If you choose the Kindle copy, please provide an email for the Kindle copy to be gifted to you. This message was sent to the email you provided in the comment section. If you did not receive the email, please email assistant@theseymouragency.com. Thanks!

xox~Risa

IG: @thereisnobox

*GIVEAWAY RULES AND REGULATIONS
U.S. mailing addresses only. If prize is Kindle-related, winner must have a valid Amazon email to receive prize. Must be at least 18 years of age to win. Void where prohibited. Giveaway hostesses are not responsible for items once shipped. We reserve the right to change any and all rules or conditions as needed. Complete and correct information must be provided as requested, or the entry will automatically and immediately be null and void. Bounced email will automatically void an entry. If we cannot locate your follow or other entry options, your entry will be voided. Once the winner email is sent, that winner will have 48 hours to respond to the win with the information requested in notification email.

*Giveaway winner announced during next 5-star Friday. Contest closes on Thursday, November 28, 2019.

Review: Crime and Poetry by Amanda Flower

Hello Readers!

Welcome to 5-stars Friday!

I’m beyond excited to share with you my review of Crime and Poetry by Amanda Flower.

Crime and Poetry is the first book in the Magical Bookshop Mystery series, and I loved it. Like, five stars plus a glass of Veuve Clicquot and two macarons loved it.

Amanda Flower combined all the goodness I love about life - bookstores and magic mixed with a graduate student completing her dissertation. This book was exactly what I needed to read that rainy afternoon when I couldn’t make it to my own favorite bookstore.

Crime and Poetry by Amanda Flower is a cozy mystery. The protagonist is named Violet, and she’s a twentysomething doctoral student whose grandmother tricks her into returning home, with the hopes that Violet will agree to run the family bookstore. Violet wants to return to Chicago because she vowed never to return to the small town where she grew up, but then Benedict Raisin is found dead, and Violet’s grandmother is the prime suspect. So Violet decides to find out who really killed Benedict in order to save her grandmother.

Here are just a few of the perfect parts of Crime and Poetry:

Violet’s grandmother is called Grandma Daisy, and right away I wanted to meet her. Not only did she trick Violet to return home, she also owns a bookstore in a picturesque town.

What’s not to love about Grandma Daisy?

...and back to the picturesque town. Amanda Flower writes some of the best imagery I’ve ever read. Her words are smooth and flow into one another, so it’s impossible to stop reading. Not only is it a page-turner because of the mystery aspect, but each scene is filled with the kind of… perfect segue into the next piece of the puzzle.

This is hard — to not give spoilers. Okay. So obviously I’m recommending it.

And I’m recommending it because…

This novel is beautifully written and filled with wit and charm, and Amanda Flower takes the reader on a fascinating journey that provides plenty of wrong turns before solving the murder.

***GIVEAWAY ALERT***

One random and lucky commenter will receive a copy of Crime and Poetry, coloring bookmarks, and a sticker signed by Amanda Flower, so please leave a comment below.

Not sure what to say? Tell me if you have a cat, what’s your cat’s name. If you have a favorite local bookstore, what’s the name of the bookstore? If you’ve read other books by Amanda Flower, what title was your favorite so far?

Okay. Thanks for taking the time to read my review of Amanda Flower’s Crime and Poetry.

xox ~Marisa
IG: @thereisnobox

*GIVEAWAY RULES AND REGULATIONS
U.S. mailing addresses only. If prize is Kindle-related, winner must have a valid Amazon email to receive prize. Must be at least 18 years of age to win. Void where prohibited. Giveaway hostesses are not responsible for items once shipped. We reserve the right to change any and all rules or conditions as needed. Complete and correct information must be provided as requested, or the entry will automatically and immediately be null and void. Bounced email will automatically void an entry. If we cannot locate your follow or other entry options, your entry will be voided. Once the winner email is sent, that winner will have 48 hours to respond to the win with the information requested in notification email.

*Giveaway winner announced during next 5-star Friday. Contest closes on Thursday, October 24, 2019.

MONTANA HEARTS: SWEET TALKIN' COWBOY by Darlene Panzera

Genre: Western Romance Release Date: 12/15/2015 Publisher: Avon Books Darlene Panzera continues her heartwarming Western series with a roughed-up cowboy, the feisty girl next door, and the deal that brings them together. BLURB: If it wasn't for an injury to his leg, Luke Collins would be riding rodeo broncos all day, every day. Until he heals, he's determined to help his family's guest ranch bring in money any way he can. But when a cranky neighbor gets in the way of his goal, Luke turns to the only person he knows can help: the gorgeous, rodeo-barrel-racing spitfire next door. It's no secret: Sammy Jo's father is a pain in the neck. But if anyone can persuade him, it's her. So when Luke asks for help, Sammy Jo is more than willing to make a deal with the handsome cowboy. The cost? He's gotta get back up on that horse—with Sammy Jo's help, of course. As teamwork reveals a deeper connection, Luke finds himself falling for the beautiful girl next door. But to win her heart? He'll just have to do whatever it takes. **Sweet Talkin' Cowboy is the 2nd book in this series.** Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/Montana-Hearts-Sweet-Talkin-Cowboy-ebook/dp/B00T3DNJTE/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1449501121&sr=1-3&keywords=darlene+panzera Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/montana-hearts-darlene-panzera/1122186850?ean=9780062394705 Bio: Darlene Panzera is a multi-published author of sweet, fun-loving romance. Her career launched with THE BET, included in bestselling author Debbie Macomber's FAMILY AFFAIR. Her newest series, MONTANA HEARTS, debuts October 2015 from Avon Impulse, a division of HarperCollins. When not writing, she loves spending time with her family, her horse, rooting for the Seattle Seahawks, photography, camping, hiking, and lazy days at the lake. Darlene would love to hear from her readers and says, "I love writing stories that inspire people to laugh, value relationships, and pursue their dreams." www.darlenepanzera.com Author of Sweet Fun-Loving Romance THE BET - inside Debbie Macomber's FAMILY AFFAIR June 2012 Avon BooksBET YOU'LL MARRY ME - December 4, 2012 Avon ImpulseTHE CUPCAKE DIARIES: Sweet on You, Recipe for Love, Taste of Romance, Spoonful of Christmas 2013 Avon Impulse www.facebook.com/DarlenePanzera

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT ON STACIE RAMEY AND AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT ON LYNNETTE AUSTIN!

Yes, two authors for the price of one! (Although we don't really charge anything so there you go).

Today let's welcome, Lynnette and Stacie to the blog! Welcome ladies!

LYNNETTE AUSTIN

 Author Bio:

I love to stand on the beach when a storm is brewing and watch the waves crash ashore. I love, love, love chocolate frozen custard, a bargain, anything by Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, and sitting in a Starbucks reading and enjoying a skinny peppermint mocha. I grew up in Pennsylvania, accepted my first teaching job in New York, moved to wonderful Wyoming, then to sunny Florida. Now, I spend my days writing and split my time between the beaches of Florida and the mountains of northern Georgia. I tend to think of myself as a homebody, but I guess I must have a little vagabond in me because I feel at home and happy almost anywhere.

The Best Laid Wedding Plans blurb:

Reunited lovers, a crumbling plantation, and a big dream—The Best Laid Wedding Plans!

Georgia’s Low Country. Soft, summer nights, sweet tea sippin’ on back porches, fireflies twinklin’, and those Southern men with slow drawls and slower hands. Jenni Beth knows she can turn crumbling Magnolia House into a wedding destination, but when Cole, once the love of her life, returns, old hurts resurface.

Jenni Beth Beaumont left her broken heart behind when she took her dream job in Savannah. But after her brother's death, she returns home to help mend her parents' hearts as well as restore their beautiful but crumbling antebellum mansion. New dreams take shape as Jenni Beth sets to work replacing floors and fixing pipes to convert the family homestead into the perfect wedding destination. However, some folks in their small Southern town are determined to see her fail.
Cole Bryson was once the love of Jenni Beth's life, but the charming architectural salvager has plans of his own for the Beaumont family home. As the two butt heads, old turmoil is brought to the surface. Cole and Jenni Beth will have to work through some painful memories and tough realities before they can set their pasts aside and have a second chance at their own happily ever after.

Author Media Links

www.authorlynnetteaustin.com

https://twitter.com/LynnettAustin

https://www.facebook.com/Lynnette-Austin

http://hotwipssassychicks.blogspot.com

Pinterest at https://www.pinterest.com/romwriter/

STACIE RAMEY

Stacie Ramey learned to read at a very early age to escape the endless tormenting from her older siblings. Where the Wild Things Are was her first favorite book and she swore she’d only marry a man who could prove he had rumpus in his heart!

She attended the University of Florida, where she majored in communication sciences, and Penn State where she received a Master of Science degree in Speech Pathology. She also met her future husband at Penn State, who surprised her one day with all of the stuffed Wild Things’ characters, proving his worth.

She currently works with high school aged Autistic kids, introducing them to the literary worlds she grew up loving. When she’s not working or writing, she engages in Netflix wars with her children or beats her husband in Scrabble, all while watching the Florida Gators and Penn State Nittany Lions play (Go Gators).

She lives in Florida with her husband, children, and rescue dogs.

Her debut young adult novel THE SISTER PACT was released November 3, 2015 (Sourcebooks Fire). 

You can follow her on:

https://www.facebook.com/stacie.ramey

Twitter@stacieramey

http://www.stacieramey.com/index.html

THE SISTER PACT

Blurb from Amazon:

Who holds your secrets?

Allie is devastated when her sister commits suicide-and it's not just because she misses her. Allie feels betrayed. The two made a pact that they'd always be together, in life and in death, but Leah broke her promise and Allie needs to know why.

Her parents hover. Her friends try to support her. And Nick, sweet Nick, keeps calling and flirting. Their sympathy only intensifies her grief.

But the more she clings to Leah, the more secrets surface. Allie's not sure which is more distressing: discovering the truth behind her sister's death or facing her new reality without her.